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Book Description

In a town she personifies, Ouisie Pepper wrestles with her own defiance. Desperate to become the wife and mother her husband Hap demands, Ouisie pours over a simple book about womanhood, constantly falling short, but determined to improve.

Through all that self-improvement, Ouisie carries a terrible secret: she knows who killed Daisy Chance. As her children inch closer to uncovering the killer’s identity and Hap’s rages roar louder and become increasingly violent, Ouisie has to make a decision. Will she protect her children by telling her secret? Or will Hap’s violence silence them all?

Set on the backdrop of Defiance, Texas, Ouisie’s journey typifies the choices we all face—whether to tell the truth about secrets and fight for the truth or bury them forever and live with the violent consequences.

In a town she personifies, Ouisie Pepper wrestles with her own defiance. Desperate to become the wife and mother her husband Hap demands, Ouisie pours over a simple book about womanhood, constantly falling short, but determined to improve.

Through all that self-improvement, Ouisie carries a terrible secret: she knows who killed Daisy Chance. As her children inch closer to uncovering the killer’s identity and Hap’s rages roar louder and become increasingly violent, Ouisie has to make a decision. Will she protect her children by telling her secret? Or will Hap’s violence silence them all?

Set on the backdrop of Defiance, Texas, Ouisie’s journey typifies the choices we all face—whether to tell the truth about secrets and fight for the truth or bury them forever and live with the violent consequences.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Mary DeMuth is a stunningly talented storyteller and wordsmith. Life in Defiance---a compelling read on so many levels---is pure DeMuthian artistry.' -- Susan Meissner, author of The Shape of Mercy <br><br>

From the Back Cover

In a town she personifies, Ouisie Pepper wrestles with her own defiance. Desperate to become the wife and mother her husband Hap demands, Ouisie pours over a simple book about womanhood, constantly falling short, but determined to improve. Through all that self-improvement, Ouisie carries a terrible secret: she knows who killed Daisy Chance. As her children inch closer to uncovering the killer's identity and Hap's rages roar louder and become increasingly violent, Ouisie has to make a decision. Will she protect her children by telling her secret? Or will Hap's violence silence them all? Set on the backdrop of Defiance, Texas, Ouisie's journey typifies the choices we all face---whether to tell the truth about secrets and fight for the truth or bury them forever and live with the violent consequences.

I read Mary DeMuth's final book, Life in Defiance, in the Defiance Texas Trilogy in under 24 hours. It is a murder mystery, and about 10 times throughout the series, I was sure of "who done it". The story line was very compelling, causing me to really immerse myself into the environment of Defiance.

Set against the backdrop of Defiance, Texas, book three reflects a choice we all face: reveal our secrets or bury them forever ... and live with the consequences. .

What I really liked about this final book was that the struggles Ouisie Pepper dealt with are ones we all face. I identified with this Pastor's wife on many levels. I am also a Pastor's wife. My husband doesn't beat me up, (he beats me at Rock Band, but that's about it) but thinking I need to "maintain an image for the good of all" is something I deal with all the time. I am constantly reminding myself to be myself and not worry about what people think about my words and choices.

I love that Mary knows how to piece a story together, weaving mystery and intrigue with deep life lessons that challenge my soul. It's a great read, and I highly recommend the series to anyone who loves a great story and has the courage to face the secrets buried in their own life.

A good author writes a good, enjoyable book. A great author grabs your heart and does not let go until the last page is turned. Mary DeMuth is a great author. Life in Defiance brought out a range of emotions in me: I was angry at times, had deep compassion during other times, and grieved at the loss of innocence. This book will disturb you, it will shake you to your core, but it also offers redemption and forgiveness.

Life is like a tapestry, when you look on one side the picture is beautiful, but underneath there are knots and jumbled threads. Defiance Texas Trilogy is all about life underneath the tapestry. We put forth the beautiful side in front of others, but God sees what is underneath. God says, "Come I love you just the way you are, no matter what you have done. No matter how many knots there are in your life." Then when the healing begins God makes the tapestry beautiful on both sides.

I will be honest Life in Defiance is not a happy book, but it is real redemption for real life people. Many who live in difficult homes or live a life of secrets may this book offer you hope and freedom. The Defiance Texas Trilogy is listed on my top must reads for Summer 2010!

Life in Defiance finishes the Defiance trilogy, which includes Daisy Chain and A Slow Burn, in Mary DeMuth's distinctive voice. With redemption for some, continued blindness for others, and justice for Daisy, the story satisfies.

Every woman who has cowered before a man's anger will identify with Ouisie Pepper. Christians who have let pastors dominate their decisions may have second thoughts as they spend time with Hap Pepper. Women who need to face hard truths will find company and comfort.

Mary sees people clearly. She writes powerful characters, real mixes of insight and blindness. Like real life, some come to their senses, some are brought to justice, and some just move on to their next victim.

If you haven't read the first two, buy all three. You'll taste the Texas dust, suffer with Ouisie's wounds, and rejoice in realistic hope.

I received a free review copy of Thin Places from Zondervan. Nevertheless, I do not write positive reviews unless I believe in the what I am endorsing. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Mary DeMuth is not just writer...she's an artist who uses the heart of God as a canvas and her gift of words as the paintbrush. I'm not sure there is a more gifted writer in the Christian Fiction genre. (I read A LOT of books...more than 100 per year...so I can say that.) After reading the first two books in the Texas Trilogy, "Daisy Chain" and "A Slow Burn", I wasn't sure that Mary could pull the last one off. I mean, when you've poured out your heart and soul out in two amazing books...one has to think there's an end to the outpouring of giftedness. I've seen it happen too many times to authors. Not so with Mary. "Life in Defiance" turned out to be the most powerful, beautiful, amazing, incredible book in the Trilogy. All I can say is "WOW!"

Mary's choice of words consume you. She draws your heart into the story, the characters, and the message with such awe striking finesse that life is just more beautiful hearing it described by Mary. As I read through the struggles of the various characters of Defiance, Texas...I found that there is probably a little of each in all of us. And the author removes the veil and reveals sin in such an incredible way that it will cause you to examine your own faith and draw near to the throne of God. Reading Mary's books are like reading a book that Picasso might have written had he been a writer! Mary's words make you look at the world in a whole different light...with beauty in each and every part...she gives you a glimpse of what it's like to look through the eyes of God.

We can all hope and pray that God will continue to fill Mary's heart with His...so that she might write in a way that touches our hearts and draws us nearer to Him. Mary, we're begging for more!

(P.S. to the reader: This book is well enough to read on its own...however, don't cheat yourself...buy the first two books...trust me, you don't want to miss a thing!)